2024 Paris Olympics: 'Sy't ons baie trots gemaak!' - Rogail Joseph's mom

Lester Kiewit speaks to Ronelle Mauries, the proud mother of Rogail Joseph from Worcester.

Hailed as a rising talent in South African athletics, Rogail Joseph is taking her skills to the global stage.

Joseph, who studied economic development at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), vows to use her sprinting talent to fulfil her dreams and change the lives of her struggling family and community of Roodewal in Worcester.

The first stop is the 2024 Paris Olympics...

Joseph competed in the women’s 400-metre hurdles on Sunday (4 August) and came second in her heat with a time of 54.56, qualifying for the semifinals on Tuesday.

If she performs as she did on Sunday or better, Joseph will become a medal contender for the final races later this week. 

Mauries says her daughter started 11 years ago as a long-distance athlete until her mom saw her potential and asked her teachers and coach to hone it at every level.

She says watching her daughter on Sunday was stressful and an honour, making her extremely proud.

"Dit was baie stressvol... maar die kalmte was daar en om vir haar te sien was 'n groot eer gewees. Sy't vir ons baie trots gemaak. It was a verskriklike gevoel gister."

- Ronelle Mauries

After the race, Rogail called her.

"Sy was baie trots gewees."

- Ronelle Mauries

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.